Hart was criticised for failing to stop James Morrison’s shot at Wembley, Scotland’s first in their 3-2 friendly defeat on Wednesday, and has kept clean sheets against only San Marino twice and Moldova since Euro 2012.

Hodgson knows England cannot afford such mistakes during the imminent World Cup qualifiers, particularly against Ukraine.

England’s manager was not warning Hart, simply stating the unarguable fact that there will always be competition for places.

Since 2010, and Fabio Capello’s indecision over keepers in South Africa, Hart has been England’s No 1.

The pecking order appeared so established that there were even calls for Hart to be captain as he was so certain of starting.

Hodgson argued that there were other contenders. “I would contest [the claim that] he doesn’t have competition,” said Hodgson.

“Ben Foster is a good goalkeeper and now we have the experienced John Ruddy back as well.

"Jack Butland had nothing to do [in the under-21s’ 6-0 defeat of Scotland at Bramall Lane] but he has talent as well. We might not have 20 but we have a good four or five.

“I wouldn’t leave him [Hart] out of the next game because he made that mistake. Like everyone else, the competition for places is getting stronger.

“If I go back a year or six, seven months even, we are getting a little bit stronger. Joe’s place is as much open to competition as anyone else’s. I can’t give guarantees.

“I hope I’m not going to be the type of guy who chops and changes at every mistake. I’ll be watching him closely in the coming games and hopefully he’ll produce a few wonder games for City.’’

Hart acknowledged his culpability during the interval at Wembley.

“He was gutted,’’ said Hodgson. “That fine shot from Jimmy that he didn’t hold on to. The first thing he said to me at half-time was to apologise for letting in the goal.

“It’s not a perfect world. Good players make mistakes: people you wouldn’t dream of missing a goal chance miss tap-ins and keepers who are very good throw them in.

"The important thing for Joe is to get a good start to the season with Manchester City. We still believe in him.’’

Hodgson was also critical of the way England failed to close down Morrison when the ball came to the Scot following a corner.

“We defended it poorly. I’m not talking behind people’s backs there. We didn’t do a good enough job in front of him.

"Those balls have got to be blocked. We have to get out quicker. We have to put our body in the way.’’

England’s defensive frailties were a cause for concern, particularly with Kiev looming and Robert Lewandowski due at Wembley with Poland in October. Gary Cahill was turned by Kenny Miller for Scotland’s second.

“I don’t think they had to work hard enough for their two goals,’’ said Hodgson.

“We are not happy with that. That is something the players are more than aware of. In some ways it was a good lesson for us.

"This is what we risk coming up against in the next three matches at home [Moldova, Montenegro and Poland]. We have to be very careful that when these teams do break out we are not presenting them with a goal.’’

For all Cahill’s strengths, and occasional goal threat, there are increasing calls for the hugely promising Phil Jones to be embedded in defence.

“Perhaps we would have liked to,’’ reflected Hodgson, who would have brought Jones on earlier but for the need to make substitutions elsewhere to remove players not fully fit.

Jones was also moved around the Manchester United side, starting Sunday’s Community Shield at centre-back before going right when Rafael was injured. He has also featured in central midfield for United.

“If he’s going to play centre-back for us, we need to see him and assess him at centre-back. At the moment he’s been a victim of his own versatility.

“We think he is a very fine player. We like him very much.

"At the moment, [Phil] Jagielka, the linchpin of Everton, and Cahill, who has had a good season with Chelsea and has started very well, [are ahead and] if he is going to knock them off their perch he’s going to have to perform in the Premier League.

"I haven’t had an awful lot of chance to see him there. But I do regret missing the opportunity there.”